https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-622-Principal-Lan-Pushed-Loren-to-His-Limits/12584957/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-624-Lanchi-Successfully-Led-Astray/12584961/
Chapter 623: Lanchi Feels Like He's Meeting an Old Friend
Chapter 623: Lanchi Feels Like He's Meeting an Old Friend
"I've made reservations for lunch today at your choice of the following restaurants: Ancient Jimmie's, Cook, Navee's, and Eliville Patisserie. For dinner, we have Yarra River Tavern, Tipika, and Libotte Bar. You can choose any of these, and there's no need to wait in line." The dating instructor finished giving Loren the final rundown on his preparations.
Loren nodded. He had heard of all these restaurants. They were popular high-end establishments in Ikelite, and without prior reservations, it would be impossible to get a spot on the weekends. One might even have to wait in line for two to three hours. The instructor was truly reliable.
Just as Loren was thinking this, his gaze was suddenly drawn forward.
The Hutton Pedestrian Square was lush with shady trees and filled with the chirping of birds. Sunlight filtered through the treetops, illuminating the figure of a woman walking towards him, her steps light and graceful.
She was approaching quickly.
In that sunny, open square, the woman soon stood before Loren.
"Loren, I'm sorry I'm late," she said.
Her delicate long skirt brushed gently past her knees, and the hem danced lightly in the breeze. Her hair was loosely tied up, with a few strands falling softly by her cheeks, a stark contrast to her usual valiant image on the battlefield.
Today, Juliana had set aside her customary knight's attire and donned a dress, presenting herself in an exceptionally gentle and feminine manner for their date.
"Uh-huh," Loren nodded slightly, looking like an innocent and naive young man.
He instinctively averted his gaze from Juliana, unsure where to look in the face of her ample figure. But then he realized that might be impolite, so he slowly brought his eyes back to her, focusing on her face.
As the leader of the Kingdom of Yalong's National Knights, Juliana usually carried herself with a stern demeanor that made her seem older and more dependable. But now, dressed like this, she appeared surprisingly young.
"Sorry, I probably shouldn't have dressed like this," Juliana said, turning her head slightly and looking away as she tucked a hand under her elbow.
"No, it's not that..." Loren found himself at a loss for words.
"It's fine to keep quiet and remain dazed for a little while longer," the dating instructor's voice said in Loren's ear. "Wait until she starts to feel a little awkward or asks you again about your thoughts on her appearance."
"Tell her she looks beautiful, but keep it simple and sincere. No need to be over the top," the instructor continued.
Following the instructor's advice, Loren finally spoke up as he saw Juliana unconsciously clenching her hand into a fist: "You look so beautiful that I'm still in a daze."
Loren gathered his courage and spoke from the heart.
"The atmosphere might get a little ambiguous from here," the instructor warned. "But for now, you don't need to say much. Just take a slow walk with her."
The instructor's calm voice continued to guide Loren.
Loren breathed a slight sigh of relief. The instructor's skill and foresight gave him a tremendous sense of reassurance. No matter how the lady responded, the instructor had anticipated it and was ready with a countermeasure.
"...'' Juliana was clearly taken aback as well.
It took her a moment to regain her composure.
"So, where are we having lunch?" she asked, her tone serious.
Loren was bewildered by the sudden change of topic.
"Ahem!"
Even the dating instructor seemed to be caught off guard, as if he had choked on his water.
...
Seeing the flustered look on Loren's face, Juliana was certain that, just like her, he lacked experience in dating.
"...'' Juliana had taken the advice of her guide and bought a new dress for the date.
It was evident that this guide, a young lady, knew exactly how to dress to enhance her beauty, as if it were innate knowledge rather than something she had studied.
Although they had never met, Juliana imagined that the guide must be very beautiful.
For now, at least, the date preparations seemed to be going well.
"Ask him where they're going for lunch," the assistant guide, known as the Love Angel, had instructed her through their magical communication.
And so she had asked.
But it seemed she had bewildered Loren with her question.
Upon reflection, Juliana realized her mistake. Who asks where they're going for lunch the moment they meet?!
"A qualified date will have planned out your itinerary for the day, especially lunch and dinner. From these choices, you can tell how much effort he's put into this date."
The communication magic in his ear conveyed the calm voice of his dating assistant once more.
【If I were choosing a boyfriend, I'd hope that he would have given serious thought to this matter before our date.】 she added.
"......" Is that so? Juliana thought.
"Loren, do you have any plans for where we should have lunch and dinner today? I'm not very familiar with this part of Ikelite," Juliana added when Loren didn't respond.
"But, Juliana, it's only nine in the morning. We can walk around first and then think about what to have for lunch," Loren hesitated for a while before politely asking, "After all, we have plenty of time, and I can slowly introduce you to Ikelite."
He gestured for Juliana to walk with him.
"That's true... Why think about lunch when it's only nine o'clock?" Juliana muttered to herself, her eyes drifting to Loren's handsome face, and she found herself falling into step beside him.
The two strolled side by side on the path of Hutton Pedestrian Square.
This date, which had been delayed for nearly a year, was finally underway.
To be honest, Juliana's heart was racing. She had never been on a date with a man before, especially not with someone she cared about so much.
But what should she say now?
Would he think that her dressing up like this was strange? Or that her question was odd? How was he looking at her?
As they walked, Juliana gradually lowered her head, not wanting Loren to see how nervous she felt.
Loren also remained silent, which made her even more unsure of what to say.
【Ask him about his favorite food. Everyone has a favorite, so asking this is a safe bet.】
......
At the same time, Loren was also receiving a constant stream of advice in his ear.
【When you're unsure of the other person's interests, it's best not to initiate a topic hastily to avoid potentially awkward conversations that may lead to a dead end for both parties.】
【Even if you run out of things to say, don't ask fill-in-the-blank questions like, 'What's your favorite color?' or 'What's your favorite food?' because the conversation will likely stall after the answers.】
【However, in any form of communication, whether it's romance or negotiation, the same principle applies: always try to maintain control of the situation instead of being led by the other party.】
【The correct approach is to let the other person initiate the topic first, then slowly take over the conversation. If there's anything you can't answer, leave it to me to guide you.】
"Loren, what's your favorite food?" Juliana suddenly asked.
"......" Loren looked at her, waiting for the dating instructor to tell him how to respond.
【...Just be honest, and then ask her the same question.】
The instructor thought for a long time, as if finally accepting the situation.
"Personally, I prefer the local flavors of Ikelite, but I've always been interested in trying the cuisine of the entire Southern Continent. What about you?" Loren asked.
"I'm open to anything. Do you have any restaurant recommendations?" Juliana looked up at him and asked.
"Let me think." Loren pretended to ponder, actually waiting for the dating instructor's input.
【Ancient Jimmie's Restaurant, housed in a magnificent sixteenth-century Solar Calendar building, transports diners to an ancient world filled with Ikelite charm. It mainly offers dishes made with local ingredients and flavors from the eastern part of the Southern Continent. Navee's Restaurant, located in the trendy northern district of Ikelite, offers innovative set menus. Eliville Patisserie is renowned for its delicious limited-edition pastries, unparalleled light meals, and a romantic ambiance, making it a popular choice for dates with young ladies. Cook, nestled in a unique industrial-style building, serves the emerging cuisine of the northern coast of the Southern Continent. Repeat these four options to her and ask for her thoughts.】
Loren repeated what the dating instructor had told him, and Juliana quickly made her choice.
"Okay, since we've decided on lunch, let's head in that direction and explore the nearby area. Maybe we'll come across a dessert shop perfect for a summer morning treat." Juliana suggested after some thought.
【Agree with her, and take her there.】
The instructor's voice sounded exhausted, as if he were being tortured and on the verge of giving up on thinking.
"No problem." Loren felt like the instructor had taken them on a big detour, only to end up being led by Juliana in the end.
(End of Chapter)
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